'Prim n propah salons now in the city

What better news can there be, for the ‘prim n propah’ of Delhi, than the opening of a new state-of-the-art salon in a five star? Well, the reason to rejoice has been given this time by one of the Capital’s oldest hotels, The Imperial, that launched its full-service salon a few months back.

The Imperial SalonWhat better news can there be, for the ‘prim n propah’ of Delhi, than the opening of a new state-of-the-art salon in a five star? Well, the reason to rejoice has been given this time by one of the Capital’s oldest hotels, The Imperial, that launched its full-service salon a few months back. With separate areas for men and women, the salon specialises in a gamut of hair rituals offered by the French luxury brand Kerastase, right from a technologically advanced hair analysis to the serum treatment to the complete hair spa.

Unlike the hotel’s adjoining spa located at the underground level, the salon is accessible to the non- resident clients as well. Products from hi-end brands like Yves Saint Laurent and Natura-Bisse, apart from Kerastase-Paris line up the shelves at the spacious salon which, by virtue of overhead skylights, has plenty of natural sunlight, adding to the ambience.

The prices are steep, as expected of a luxury salon, and the treatments will set you back by a few thousands. So, we recommend opting first for the hair analysis and then deciding whether you want to go for the entire hair spa ritual, or only some bits. The salon also offers specialised facial services and the cheerful and warm staff informs that the collagen quench facial is a big hit with the loaded Delhi women. Well, when it comes to getting pampered in a luxurious ambience, what is not? Go for the Imperial salon, it’s an experience you would not mind repeating. And to make it easy on the pocket, ask for their special 20% inaugural discount.

Therapy AyurvedaAyurveda’s always good. The way it’s practised, often not. But here, there’s no fear — the place is hygienic, the doctor helpful, and the service, slop-free. Sitting on the airy first floor of one of Dwarka’s major market complexes, Therapy Ayurveda welcomes you with a warm glass of herb water and a board of Gods that oversees its reception area. Then, the Sanskrit shlokas start filling your ears. As you settle down for a chat with Dr Shyla, who manages the place, she explains how this is no fancy spa but a place to cure chronic illnesses, hairloss, bad sleep and stress. Yes, you’ve heard that before. The difference is, here, they do make an earnest effort to live up to their talk. Starting right from the silence the therapy chamber is bathed in.

She calls out to the two petite therapists and instructs them in Malayalam; they nod their heads and get going. As you enter, the peace deepens — the lights are a holy dim, the chanting, enchanting. It’s an all-wood setup, barring the glass bath in the corner. Shed clothes, worries, and all sense of time — what follows will last you a good two to three hours.

The complete session, including abhyangam (medicated oil massage from head to toe), shirodhara, herbal scrub, face therapy and a steam bath that unlike others keeps your face safely above the steam shower, is conducted by well-trained female staff for women, and males for men. They don’t speak English or Hindi, so thankfully, that saves you the unnecessary small talk. In fact, their own communication also takes place in almost inaudible whispers, and yet the transition in therapy is effortless.